Buffy returned from patrolling to find Spike sitting on the couch, asleep. His chin was tucked into his chest, and the remote was close to falling from his hand. She gently sat down next to him and slid the remote out of his hand. She muted the tv and watched Spike sleep. She thought about all the times they had fought, both ready and willing to kill the other. She remembered their first fight in the school, when her mom had brained him with an axe. It was hard to imagine that this man sleeping on her couch was the same one from that night, so many years ago. Buffy reached up and gently ran her fingers through his hair. The purring started almost instantly. It took Buffy some effort not to giggle. Slowly, Spike opened his eyes. Waking up to Buffy caressing him was definitely a high point of his unlife. When she caught Spike's gaze, Buffy removed her hand, a bit embarrassed. The purring stopped.

"How do you do that?"

"What?"

"The purring.....or whatever you call it."

"Oh, uh, well, it's not really voluntary. Can't help it. And I can't do it if I try to. So, um, how was patrolling? You weren't gone very long."

"Oh, ya know. A few vamps. When I spun around to kick one behind me, I pulled a muscle in my back. So very ouch, I do not recommend it. Decided to come home early after that. Didn't think I'd be much good, stooped over like an old lady." Buffy stretched her back, wincing a bit.

"Where? Here?" Spike put a bracing hand on Buffy's shoulder and another hand in the middle of her back.

"No, up more." Spike slid his hand upward, applying pressure as he went. "OWW! There.....that's the spot. Ouch, don't--"

"Tut, tut, Slayer, just let me work. I know a thing or two about a thing or two. I think I can help you out." He softened the pressure a bit and moved his hand in circles over the offending area.

"God, isn't that sad? The Slayer pulled a muscle. I've *never* pulled a muscle."

"Then you're not doing it right," Spike mumbled under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing, just hush now. Relax. That's your problem. You're too tense when you fight, that's how you pull muscles."

"Well, yeah, I'm kind fighting for my life every night. Tends to create tension."

"Oh please, Slayer. Dusting fledglings? Hardly even a challenge for you. You need to trust your abilities more. Trust your instincts. Stop thinking so much. Then you'll be able to relax when you fight."

"Um, I do believe it was my instincts that made contact with your.....boy parts."

"*Man* parts, thank you, and you did right. Vamp's attacking, you do what you need to do to stay safe. Even if said vamp happens to be me."

"Yeah, well, sorry all the same." Buffy started moaning a bit at Spike's ministrations.

"Forget about it. Descended testicles are highly overrated anyway."

Buffy tried to laugh, but all that came out were little moans. Spike smiled at her, turning into jelly in his hands.

"How did you....mmmm.....I mean......how do you know what to do? Cuz whatever you're doin', don't stop.....mmmm."

Spike chuckled, "Well, pet, ya learn a lot of things being on this earth as long as I have. Like how to turn a woman into putty with a touch....." With that, Spike moved his bracing hand down her back and pushed his thumbs into her aching muscle.

"AAOOWwwwwwwwwoooooohhhhhhmmmmmm" Buffy slumped back into Spike's chest. "God, that's something I hope doesn't get out.....could be dangerous....." Her head was lolled back on Spike's shoulder.

Spike slid his hands around her waist and let them rest on her stomach. Then he turned to whisper in her ear. "In the wrong hands, it could be. But you're safe, luv. Always safe with me."

"Hmm.....normally I'd be arguing with you over something like that, but I'm just too.....liquid right now. I feel like liquid. How did you do that?"

"Ah, I can't divulge all my secrets. Now I think it's a good time for you to get to bed, being all relaxed as you are. Come on, now." Spike tried to prod her up, but she stayed leaned back in his arms.

"Huh uh, don't wanna. Can't move....." Buffy had her eyes closed.

Spike shifted a bit and then scooped her up in his arms. "Alright, you don't wanna go, I'll take you."

"Spike, what are you doing?" Buffy was tensing up in his hold.

"No no, luv, just stay relaxed. Trust me, you'll sleep better than you ever have. If you let all your muscles go.....get rid of all that tension right before you sleep, you'll wake up feeling as young and spry as you are." Spike started up the stairs with her, and she did her best to relax in his arms.

When he reached her bed, he laid her gently down and started to pull up a cover over her. "No, Spike, wait. I'm still dressed. I need to get into my jammies."

"Now, Slayer, you're going and ruining all my hard work," Spike said as Buffy got off the bed.

As Buffy pushed Spike out the door, she said, "Guess you'll just have to come in and do it again."

Spike raised an eyebrow at her as the door closed. He only had a couple of minutes to stand there wondering where all his sudden good fortune came from. Soon she opened the door with a flourish and he entered again. She was in some flannel bottoms and a white tank top. Spike hoped she didn't notice him noticing how very clearly he could see her breasts through the thin material.

Buffy laid down on her stomach, an open invite to Spike. Spike took a deep breath and considered all the wonderful things he could do to her in that position. But not tonight. Tonight was just for her comfort and relaxation. He climbed up on the bed and straddled her backside. He took a moment to soak in the scene before him. His Slayer, laid out below him, wanting his hands on her body. Not in exactly the way he wanted, but it was close enough that he could almost taste that heaven.

Spike took the lethal risk of slowly pushing up Buffy's shirt, just above the middle of her back. Instead of kicking him into next week, she raised her torso so the shirt could be positioned and stay in place. Spike splayed his hands out over her back, trying to memorize the silkiness for his inevitable dreams. He found the sweet spot again and pressed down, making little circles with his palms. Buffy moaned again, then stretched like a cat. 'No, a tigress,' Spike thought with a smile. He continued his work as he felt her body loose all tension. She sunk into the bed and pillow with a sigh. When he sensed her drift off to sleep, he grudgingly removed himself from his post on her body.

"Spike," she said sleepily.

"Pet?"

"Don't go."

"Um, you want me to stay?"

"Uh huh. I might wake up, and you'll have to do that thing again.....that thing that makes me all soft and liquidy."

"Ok, luv." Spike grabbed a pillow and tossed it on the floor.

"No, here. With me. Sleep with me, Spike."

Spike took a deep breath. "Pet, I don't think--"

"Me neither. Tired of thinking. Don't make me think too much about this, or we'll both end up sleeping alone. And I know neither one of us wants that right now." Buffy had her eyes closed, still looking completely relaxed.

Spike shrugged. "You're not wrong." He slipped onto the bed beside her, both on top of the covers. Spike laid on his side, watching Buffy with wonder and some confusion.

"Spike?"

"Slayer?"

"Tell me you love me." Eyes still closed, still completely tension-free.

"I love you, Buffy." Spike felt like he had never meant the words more.

"Thank you." She was slurring now, any minute she'd be a goner. "It feels good, being loved." A yawn. "Maybe someday.....I can return the favor." A little snore, and she was out.

**

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